Are you ready, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs? Oswin Appollis signals danger on his Orlando Pirates debut

This is the result that Bucs and their fans needed to assure themselves that they are ready for the new season despite a pre-season outing that was not wholly convincing.

Orlando Pirates have sent a strong signal to their rivals that they indeed mean business this season after seeing off Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final duel at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

An electric start into the game, a momentum that was maintained consistently, gave Pirates the deserved 2-0 victory. The win means the Bucs took a giant step towards defending their cup again.

Despite many substitutions named later in the game, Pirates looked compact, maintained their structure, and never lost their fighting spirit. They were, however, unlucky not to add a goal in the second half.

After the home victory, GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from the Pirates-Polokwane City game that opened the MTN8 campaign.

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WINNER: Abdeslam Ouaddou
Ouaddou has achieved what is considered a perfect start as his Pirates' reign begins.
A commanding win set Pirates on the path to defend the trophy, and this, despite the transition they are in, could signal that the Bucs are a force to reckon with again, not only in the tournament but also in the PSL.
Ouaddou also deserves credit for deploying a lineup that worked seamlessly in transitions, when attacking, and when defending.
His starting lineup consisted of new signings Sihle Nduli, Sipho Mbule, and Appollis before Tshepang Moremi, Yanela Mbuthuma, and Abdoulaye Mariko were later introduced as substitutions.

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LOSER: Polokwane City
As a whole, City had a difficult time facing the defending champions. Their performance raises questions on whether, indeed, they are ready for the season.
They looked like a disjointed outfit and conceded cheap fouls in dangerous areas. Their fullbacks struggled against Relebohile Mofokeng and Deon Hotto when the Namibian ventured forward, and, of course, Appollis.
Plenty of work to be done before the season begins.
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WINNER: Patrick Masangwanyi
Last season, he did not start as regularly as he would have wished, but his performance against City indicates a man who is ready to stamp authority as a key player.
His goal, although it was from a penalty situation, was just icing on the cake on the performance he produced both in the midfield and attacking-wise.

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WINNER: Oswin Appollis
What a start for the new signing. His work rate against his immediate former side was there for everyone to see.
He scored early in the game to put Bucs in an advantageous position before he won a penalty late in the second half.
Going by his game against City, the Bafana star is ready to roar as a Sea Robber.
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LOSER: Brian Bwire
Conceding two goals is something that the Kenyan international would have loved not to happen, especially when the league is about to begin.
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WINNER: Sipho Chaine
The clean against Rise and Shine is a morale-boosting outcome for the 2024/25 PSL Goalkeeper of the Season.

WINNER: Abdeslam Ouaddou

LOSER: Polokwane City

WINNER: Patrick Masangwanyi

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WINNER: Oswin Appollis

LOSER: Brian Bwire

WINNER: Sipho Chaine